Dozens of locations across the state took part in a crackdown on prescription drugs Saturday.

For the first time, La Cueva High School joined in the Drug Enforcement Agency's National Take Back Day.

Advertisement

"I think prescriptions are scary no matter what it is -- alcohol, drugs. I think it's scary as a parent knowing your kids can get involved in this kind of thing. It's just scary all around as a parent with all the things that could go wrong," said La Cueva parent Jodie Rigg.

Students said prescription drug abuse has become a reality of teen life.

"It is crazy, if we get hurt. I'm an athlete, (and) we are always getting painkillers and stuff. It's crazy that using the wrong thing at the wrong time could make you addicted for the rest of your life," said La Cueva student Caitlyn McDowell.

Even future La Cueva students are already attending awareness assemblies about pill abuse.

"It's scary. I don't want to think about it that much," said 13-year-old Sydney Rigg.

The DEA is asking residents to get rid of unused prescriptions.

The community supports the drop off at the school.

"I think it's pretty cool. It's pretty intense to have the police be at our school. I wouldn't want anybody my age to be addicted," said McDowell.

The DEA said it collected more than 1,000 pounds of unused prescriptions at the event across the city of Albuquerque.